Passage 1
शृणु द्विज प्रमाणज्ञ रामलीलां मनोहराम्। दिव्यराससमायुक्तां सीताकौतुकवर्द्धिनीम्॥१॥
Listen, O twice-born knower of authoritative truth, to Rāma’s enchanting līlā, joined with the divine rāsa and increasing Sītā’s delight.
Passage 2
सर्वेऽप्यग्निकुमारास्ते षष्टिसाहस्रसङ्ख्यकाः। रामलीलारसाभिज्ञाः प्रापुर्निजतपःफलम्॥२॥
All those sons of Agni, sixty thousand in number and versed in the rasa of Rāma’s līlā, attained the fruit of their austerities.
Passage 3
कल्पं सारस्वतं प्राप्य दण्डकारण्यवासिनः। श्रुतयश्चैव सञ्जाता गोपीरूपेण गोकुले॥३॥
On the arrival of the Sārasvata kalpa, the dwellers of Daṇḍaka Forest and the revealed Vedic texts themselves were born in Gokula in the forms of cowherd women.
Passage 4
रामरूपमनुप्रापुः सरय्वास्तटयोर्द्वयोः। प्रमोदवनवासिन्यो जानक्याश्च महाप्रियाः॥४॥
They attained Rāma’s form on the two banks of the Sarayū, dwelling in Pramoda Forest and becoming exceedingly dear to Jānakī.
Passage 5
रामतत्त्वमनुप्राप्य मुमुहुः कामभाविताः। अन्याश्च दिव्यललना दिव्यरूपसमन्विताः॥५॥
Having attained the reality of Rāma, they became enthralled and filled with love. Other divine maidens too were endowed with divine forms.
Passage 6
कृत्वा तपो वरं लब्ध्वा दिव्यमापुर्मनोरथम्। ततो निजवरं सत्यं कर्तुं रामो महामनाः॥६॥
By performing austerity and obtaining a boon, they gained their divine heart’s desire. Then great-minded Rāma, in order to make his own boon true—
Passage 7
कामतत्त्वेन ताः सर्वा रमयामास गोपिकाः। अथ प्रादुरभूत्कामः सहजानन्दलक्षणः॥७॥
delighted all those cowherd women through the principle of kāma. Then kāma whose defining nature is innate bliss manifested itself.
Passage 8
जानकीं वेपयामास सहजानन्दरूपिणीम्। सा वेपिता कामशरैः प्रादुर्भूय रघूद्वहात्॥८॥
It made Jānakī, whose very form is innate bliss, tremble. Struck by the arrows of love, she manifested from the foremost of the Raghus.
Passage 9
दिव्यवेशधरा भूत्वा क्षोभयामास राघवम्। सङ्क्षुब्धः कामबाणेन तामालिङ्गितुमीयिवान्॥९॥
Assuming divine attire, she stirred Rāghava. Agitated by love’s arrow, he moved to embrace her.
Passage 10
तमायान्तं समालोक्य स्वयमन्तर्बभूव सा। अथ खिन्नो राजसूनुर्विरहेण मृगीदृशः॥१०॥
Seeing him approach, she herself disappeared. The king’s son then became distressed by separation from the doe-eyed one.
Passage 11
इतस्ततो भ्राम्यमाणो दिशः शून्या विलोकयन्। पाण्डुक्षामवपुः साश्रुस्तब्धः पुलकपूरितः॥११॥
He wandered here and there, looking upon the empty directions. His body was pale and emaciated; tearful and motionless, he was covered in horripilation.
Passage 12
दिने दिने व्यथापूर्णः प्रलीनसकलेन्द्रियः। पद्मपत्रविशालाक्षीं तामेव निजवल्लभाम्॥१२॥
Day after day he was filled with anguish, all his senses absorbed, as he fixed upon that beloved of his whose great eyes resembled lotus petals.
Passage 13
ध्यायमानोऽन्तरा दृष्ट्या बहिः शून्याखिलक्रियः। अशुष्यद्राजतनयो दीर्यमाणः स्ववक्षसि॥१३॥
Meditating upon her with inward vision, every outward activity emptied of meaning, the king’s son wasted away as though his own chest were splitting.
Passage 14
क्वचिच्चन्द्रमुपालेभे पूर्णबिम्बं सुधामयम्। क्वचित्पद्मवनं दृष्ट्वा दुःखी नेत्रे न्यमीलयत्॥१४॥
At times he reproached the full, nectar-filled orb of the moon. At times, seeing a lotus grove, he closed his eyes in sorrow.
Passage 15
क्वचित्कैरविणीं वीक्ष्य बभूव च पराङ्मुखः। क्वचिद्रम्भावनं दृष्ट्वा स्पृष्ट्वा प्राद्रवदातुरः॥१५॥
At times, seeing a bed of night lotuses, he turned away. At times, seeing a plantain grove, he touched it and ran off in distress.
Passage 16
क्वचित्कुञ्जलतां दृष्ट्वा वक्तुं समुपचक्रमे। क्वचिद्वसन्तमालोक्य मेने दावानलं विभुः॥१६॥
At times, seeing a creeper in a bower, he began to speak to it. At times, beholding spring, the Lord took it for a forest fire.
Passage 17
क्वचिदेकान्तसदने तामुपालभत प्रियाम्। अये कठोरहृदये दृप्ते जनकनन्दिनि॥१७॥
At times, alone in a chamber, he reproached his beloved: “Ah, hard-hearted, haughty daughter of Janaka!
Passage 18
व्यथमानहृदं दृष्ट्वा नाद्यापि करुणा तव। सकृन्मे दर्शनं दत्त्वा महाविरहवर्धनम्॥१८॥
“Even on seeing my anguished heart, you still have no compassion. Having granted me a single sight of you, which only increased this immense separation—
Passage 19
अन्तर्हिता त्वं किं ब्रूमः प्रेमशून्यकठोरताम्। क्वचिदाकाशमालिङ्ग्य प्रियाबुद्ध्या मुमोद सः॥१९॥
“you vanished. What can I say of such loveless harshness?” At times he embraced empty space and rejoiced, imagining it to be his beloved.
Passage 20
क्वचिन्नवदलं दृष्ट्वा चक्रे चुम्बनगां धियम्। क्वचित्खिन्नमनाः श्रान्तो शय्यामालिङ्ग्य संश्रितः॥२०॥
At times, seeing a tender new leaf, his thought turned toward kissing it. At times, weary and heartsick, he sought refuge by embracing his bed.
Passage 21
क्वचिद्धसन् क्वचिद्धावन् क्वचित्क्रीडारसं दधत्। क्वचिदुन्मत्तवज्जल्पन् क्वचित्कुर्वन् मनोरथान्॥२१॥
At times he laughed, at times he ran, and at times he enacted the rasa of play. At times he babbled like a madman; at times he fashioned hopes within his mind.
Passage 22
नैव लेभे रतिं क्वापि प्रियाध्यानपरायणः। सरयूघोषवासिन्यो दिव्याश्च ललनागणाः॥२२॥
Absorbed in meditation upon his beloved, he found pleasure nowhere. The divine hosts of women who lived in the cowherd settlements along the Sarayū—
Passage 23
रामनायकमालोक्य बभूवुः कामपीडिताः। काश्चित्तद्गुणमाकर्ण्य बभूवुः काममोहिताः॥२३॥
became afflicted with love on seeing Lord Rāma. Some were overwhelmed by love merely on hearing his virtues.
Passage 24
काश्चित्साक्षादमुं दृष्ट्वा निपेतुर्भृशमूर्छिताः। काश्चिच्चित्रगतं दृष्ट्वा जाताः कामशरार्दिताः॥२४॥
Some saw him directly and fell down in a deep faint. Others saw his image in a picture and were pierced by the arrows of love.
Passage 25
काश्चित्स्वप्ने समालोक्य पीडामापुः सुदुःसहाम्। एवं रामगुणाकृष्टाः समस्ता वामलोचनाः॥२५॥
Some beheld him in a dream and suffered unbearable pain. Thus all those lovely-eyed women were drawn by Rāma’s qualities.
Passage 26
विरहार्त्ताः श्रितैकान्ता दूतीभिः संन्यवेदयन्। तासां दूत्यो राममेत्य प्रोचुर्विरहजां व्यथाम्॥२६॥
Tormented by separation, they withdrew into solitude and made their condition known through messengers. Their messenger-women approached Rāma and told him of the anguish born of separation. The messenger-women said
Passage 27
अयि सुन्दर राघवोत्तम त्वमसि प्रेमभरैकभाजनम्। वनिताः स्मरबाणवेपिताः सदय त्वं परिपालय प्रभो॥२७॥
O beautiful and supreme Rāghava, you are the sole vessel of love’s fullness. The women are shaken by the arrows of Love; compassionate Lord, protect them.
Passage 28
तव रूपविमोहिताः स्त्रियः कलिताः कामकरे कृताशयाः। कुलशीलविलज्जयातुराः पथि रुद्धाः सरितो यथाभवन्॥२८॥
Captivated by your form and seized in the hand of Love, the women have fixed their hearts upon you. Tormented by shame concerning family and propriety, they have become like rivers obstructed in their course.
Passage 29
अयि राजकुमार सम्प्रति व्यथितप्राणविमोचनोद्धुराः। न निभालयसे किमीदृशीः करुणावारिनिधिः स्वयं भवान्॥२९॥
O prince, they are now on the verge of releasing their afflicted lives. Why do you not look upon women in such a state, when you yourself are an ocean of compassion?
Passage 30
अथ ते कठिनं यदा मनो व्रजरामाननवीक्षणाक्षमम्। मरणं तदिमा मृगीदृशः कलयिष्यन्ति विगर्हितं भुवि॥३०॥
If your mind is so hard that it cannot bear to look upon the faces of Vraja’s women, then these doe-eyed ones will meet a death condemned in this world.
Passage 31
अयि कामपरार्द्धसुन्दर त्रिजगन्मोहनमञ्जुलाकृते। मृत एष मृगीदृशीगणः प्रणयश्रीपरिपालकस्तव॥३१॥
O you whose beauty equals countless gods of Love, whose lovely form enchants the three worlds, this host of doe-eyed women—the guardian of the splendor of your love—has died.
Passage 32
अयि मन्मथमोहनाकृते किमियं ते प्रकृतिर्दुरत्यया। यदमूर्ललना निजाधरा- मृतपानेन न जीवयस्युत॥३२॥
O form that enchants Love himself, why is this nature of yours so impossible to overcome, that you will not revive those maidens with a drink of the nectar of your own lips?
Passage 33
वनितावधपातकोद्भवं भय- मास्ते भवतोऽथवा न वा। रघुवंशविभूषणो भवान् कथमत्युग्रमधर्ममाश्रितः॥३३॥
Does fear arising from the sin of killing women dwell in you, or does it not? You are the ornament of Raghu’s line; how have you embraced such terrible unrighteousness?
Passage 34
चरणाम्बुजनिर्गलन्मधुद्रव- धारासुखितान्तराश्रयाः। मुनयोऽपि भवद्गुणामृतं ननु गायन्ति रजस्तमोलयाः॥३४॥
Even sages whose inner abode is delighted by the flowing stream of honey from your lotus feet, and in whom passion and darkness have dissolved, surely sing the nectar of your virtues.
Passage 35
अयि राघववर्यधुर्य ते चरणाम्भोजपरागकाङ्क्षिणीः। अबला मदनेन घातयन् हृदि चिन्तां महतीमवाप्स्यसि॥३५॥
O foremost among the best of the Rāghavas, by letting Love destroy these helpless women who long for the pollen of your lotus feet, you will bring great anxiety into your heart.
Passage 36
शिशुनैव विमोहितान्तरा वनितास्ता व्रतबन्धकर्शिताः। भवता वरदाननिर्वृता वचनेनैव न वञ्चिताः किमु॥३६॥
Those women, whose hearts you captivated while still a child, have been emaciated by the bonds of their vows. Fulfilled by the boon you granted, were they then deceived by words alone?
Passage 37
इदमीदृशबालभाषितं धरणौ सम्प्रति विश्वसेत्कः। अथ विश्वसनीयभाषितो दयितो यद्यसि तत्प्रसीद भोः॥३७॥
Who on earth would now trust such speech uttered in childhood? But if you are a beloved whose word is worthy of trust, then be gracious, Lord.
Passage 38
निजशैशवकर्मविस्मरन् वरदानं यदि विस्मृतोऽसि भोः। तदिमा युवराज सम्प्रति प्रणयेनैव सुनिर्वृताः कुरु॥३८॥
If, forgetting the deeds of your own childhood, you have also forgotten your boon, then, O prince, fulfill these women now through love itself.
Passage 39
यदिचेच्छरणागता अमूः परिपातुं क्षमते न ते मनः। भवतः सुचिरस्थिरं व्रतं गतमेव प्रतिभाति मेऽधुना॥३९॥
If your mind is unable to protect these women who have sought refuge, it appears to me that your vow, held firm for so long, has now departed.
Passage 40
शरणागतपालनव्रतं यदि ते सुस्थिरमस्ति राघव। तदिमा रघुराज कन्यका विरहाम्भोनिधितः समुद्धर॥४०॥
Rāghava, if your vow to protect those who seek refuge remains firm, then, O king of the Raghus, lift these maidens from the ocean of separation.
Passage 41
प्रभुणा करुणावता त्वया न विलम्बः करणीय एव चेत्। परिपालय घोषसुन्दरी- र्निजनाथाः स्मरबाणपीडिताः॥४१॥
As a compassionate Lord, you must make no delay. Protect the beauties of the cowherd settlement, who have you as their own lord and are tormented by Love’s arrows.
Passage 42
रघुनाथ भवान् भवार्णवे प्रकटोऽभूर्निजसौख्यहेतवे। स कथं निजनाथसुन्दरी- निवहं संव्यथयन्न लज्जते॥४२॥
Raghunātha, you appeared in the ocean of becoming to bring happiness to your own. How then are you not ashamed to torment this host of beautiful women who have you as their own lord?
Passage 43
इति शुश्रुम देवकार्यकृत् कृतवेशः पुरुषोत्तमो भवान्। तदिमाः सुरलोकसुन्दरीः विरहार्ताः परिपालय प्रभो॥४३॥
We have heard that you are the Supreme Person who assumed this appearance to accomplish the gods’ work. Therefore, Lord, protect these celestial beauties who are tormented by separation.
Passage 44
परिपालय नाथ सेवकान् निजलावण्यसुधैकसंश्रयात्। इति ते विरुदावली यथा न विशीर्येत् करुणारसाम्बुधे॥४४॥
“Lord, protect your servants, whose sole refuge is the nectar of your own beauty”—may this garland of your praises not fall apart, O ocean of the rasa of compassion.
Passage 45
स्मरसुन्दर कापि मूर्च्छिता प्रमदं कापि तनोति मन्त्रवित्। मुहुरेव च कापि धावति त्रपया कापि निरोधिताभवत्॥४५॥
O you who are beautiful as Love, one woman has fainted, while another who knows a charm tries to awaken delight. One repeatedly runs forward, while another has been restrained by modesty.
Passage 46
प्रलपत्यपि कापि भूरिशः करुणां कापि निभालते तनुम्। जडवत्प्रणयेन काप्यभूद् बहुशः खिद्यति राम काचन॥४६॥
One woman raves incessantly; another looks piteously upon her body. One has become inert through love, while another, O Rāma, grieves again and again.
Passage 47
पुलकानि बिभर्ति काचन स्वरभङ्गं कुरुते च काचन। प्रणयेन च कापि कम्पते मलिनाङ्गी खलु राम काप्यभूत्॥४७॥
One is covered in horripilation and another’s voice breaks. One trembles with love, while another, O Rāma, has become pale of limb.
Passage 48
अथ कापि करोति रोदनं पृथुमुक्ताफललोचनाश्रुभिः। प्रिय कापि विलीनवृत्तिका भुवनं शून्यमिवैव वीक्ष्यते॥४८॥
Another weeps with tears from her eyes like great pearls. Beloved, another’s mental functions have dissolved, and she looks upon the world as though it were utterly empty.
Passage 49
इति नित्यमुपस्थितं महत् कदनं घोषपुरीमृगीदृशाम्। कृपया क्षपयातिकोमल- प्रकृते राम धनुर्धराग्रणीः॥४९॥
Thus this great suffering continually confronts the doe-eyed women of the cowherd town. Out of compassion, end it, O Rāma of exceedingly tender nature, foremost of bowmen.
Passage 50
अयि राम धनुर्धराग्रणीः प्रसभं राजकुमार पालय। नहि चेन्निहनिष्यते स्मरो निजनाथाः खलु घोषसुन्दरीः॥५०॥
O Rāma, foremost of bowmen, act at once, prince, and protect the beauties of the cowherd settlement who have you as their own lord. Otherwise Love will surely destroy them.
Passage 51
महतीं श्रियमाप्तवानसि स्मरसि त्वं किमु धेनुधोरणीः। अधुनापि तवैव गोपते हृदि वाञ्छन्ति गवेन्द्रतां प्रभो॥५१॥
You have attained immense royal glory, but do you still remember the long rows of cows? Even now, Lord of cowherds, they desire in their hearts that you be their king of cowherds.
Passage 52
सततोत्सवभूरिभाग्यवा- नसि साकेतपुरीपतेः सुतः। न भवन्तमिह त्यजन्त्यमी स्वसखायः खलु गोपपुत्रकाः॥५२॥
As the son of Sāketa’s king, you possess abundant fortune and perpetual festivity. Yet these cowherd boys, your own companions, do not forsake you here.
Passage 53
महती खलु राम वर्तते भवतः श्रीर्गुरुगोपवेश्मसु। न तथा हृदयं धिनोत्यसौ नृप सम्पत्तिरपारकुञ्जरा॥५३॥
Rāma, your splendor is indeed immense in the homes of the elder cowherds. Royal prosperity with its countless elephants does not delight the heart in the same way.
Passage 54
पितृतो भवते प्रदर्शिता कमला कोटिगतौघसेविता। किमु विस्मरणे भविष्यति प्रणयावद्धगवेन्द्रवेश्मनः॥५४॥
Your father has shown you Lakṣmī attended by hosts numbering in the millions. Will that cause you to forget the cowherd king’s home to which you are bound by love?
Passage 55
जननी तव गोपसुन्दरी रघुवर्य त्वयि पुत्रवत्सला। त्वमपि स्फुटराज्यसम्पदं प्रणयेनैव विधूय संस्थितः॥५५॥
Your mother, the beautiful cowherd woman, cherishes you as her son, O best of the Raghus. You too have cast aside manifest royal prosperity and remained there through love alone.
Passage 56
इति राम विगर्हणं तव प्रकटं प्रेमवशेन कथ्यते। नृपपुत्र न चेत्त्वमीश्वरः किमु लोके सुलभोऽसि मृग्यताम्॥५६॥
Rāma, this open reproach of you is spoken only under love’s power. Prince, if you are not the Lord, are you then readily found in this world? Let one seek and see.
Passage 57
नवनीतसमूहतस्करो व्रजरामापरिरम्भपेशलः। सुलभोऽप्यसि घोषभूषण स्वकलीलारसमात्रकौतुकी॥५७॥
You steal heaps of fresh butter and are skilled in embracing the women of Vraja. Ornament of the cowherd settlement, you are readily accessible and delight solely in the rasa of your own līlā.
Passage 58
इति दूत्यपरायणाशयै- र्व्रजदूतीनिवहैरुदीरितम्। वचनं सुनिशम्य राघवः प्रहसन्प्राह मनोज्ञया गिरा॥५८॥
Hearing well these words spoken by the host of Vraja’s messenger-women, whose hearts were devoted to their mission, Rāghava smiled and replied in an enchanting voice. Śrī Rāma said
Passage 59
सात्यन्तं मे प्रिया सीता हृद्गता बहिरुद्गता। मोहयित्वा सहृदयं हाहा कुत्र गता जवात्॥५९॥
Sītā is exceedingly dear to me. Having entered my heart and then emerged outside, she enchanted both me and my heart. Alas, where has she gone so quickly?
Passage 60
न तां विना क्षणं स्थास्याम्यहमीशोऽपि सम्पदाम्। सा मे विगर्हणं कुर्याद्यदि क्रीडेयमन्यतः॥६०॥
Though I am the lord of all prosperity, I cannot remain even a moment without her. She would reproach me if I were to sport elsewhere.
Passage 61
तद्भ्रूविजृम्भवशगो बिभेमि व्रजदूतिकाः। तत्स्वीकृतिमहं कृत्वा श्रोष्याम्यन्याभिवाञ्छितम्॥६१॥
O messenger-women of Vraja, I am subject to the slightest movement of her brows and stand in fear of it. Once I have obtained her consent, I will hear the desire of the others.
Passage 62
जनकस्य गृहे जाता सा मे स्वप्नगताऽब्रवीत्। तां त्यक्त्वा कथमन्यासु कुर्वीय प्रणयोत्सवम्॥६२॥
Born in Janaka’s house, she came to me in a dream and spoke. Abandoning her, how could I celebrate a festival of love with other women?
Passage 63
सा मे यदि प्रकुप्येत तदा किं मे भवेदिति। मुहुः सञ्चिन्त्य नान्यासां प्रणयं पालितुं क्षमः॥६३॥
Again and again I think, “What would become of me if she grew angry?” Thus I am unable to honor the love of other women.
Passage 64
तद्ब्रूत मद्वचस्तत्र गत्वा यूयं सुदूतिकाः। आश्वासयत ताः कान्ता भूयो मद्विरहातुराः॥६४॥
Therefore, good messenger-women, go there and convey my words. Console those beloved women who are so deeply afflicted by separation from me.
Passage 65
भवतीभ्यो वरं दत्तं स्मरामि व्रजयोषितः। तत्र कालं प्रतीक्षध्वं यावत्सीतासमागमः॥६५॥
Women of Vraja, I remember the boon I gave you. Wait until the time of my reunion with Sītā.
Passage 66
तथाहं विधिवत्कृत्वा भूयः परिणयोत्सवम्। तस्यै महापदं दत्त्वा महिषीत्वेन भावितम्॥६६॥
Then I shall duly celebrate the wedding festival once more and grant her the exalted station constituted by the rank of chief queen.
Passage 67
भवतीभिस्ततः सङ्गं करिष्यामि व्रजाङ्गनाः। इत्येवं भाषमाणे तु तस्मिन्राघवपुङ्गवे॥६७॥
After that, women of Vraja, I shall unite with you. As the foremost Rāghava was speaking in this way—
Passage 68
आययुर्मुनयः सर्वे दूतीनां पुरतः स्थिताः। स्थूलाक्षः शर्कराक्षश्च कम्बुर्मेधातिथिः शुकः॥६८॥
all the sages arrived and stood before the messengers: Sthūlākṣa, Śarkarākṣa, Kambu, Medhātithi, and Śuka;
Passage 69
नारदः पर्वतश्चैव सुधर्मा चैकलो द्विजः। मित्रभवनोऽप्यथो धौम्यः शतानन्दो विशारदः॥६९॥
Nārada, Parvata, Sudharmā, the twice-born Ekala, Mitrabhavana, Dhaumya, and the learned Śatānanda;
Passage 70
जमदग्निस्तथा रामो वशिष्ठो वामदेवकः। अन्ये चैव तपोवीराः प्रादुरासुर्मुनीश्वराः॥७०॥
Jamadagni, Rāma, Vasiṣṭha, Vāmadeva, and other lordly sages heroic in austerity also appeared.
Passage 71
जाबालिः पिप्पलादश्च शाण्डिल्यो लोहितस्तथा। उद्दालको देवलश्च लोमशश्च महामुनिः। ते तत्र बोधयामासुर्धर्मज्ञं रघुपुङ्गवम्॥७१॥
Jābāli, Pippalāda, Śāṇḍilya, Lohita, Uddālaka, Devala, and the great sage Lomaśa instructed the foremost Raghu, the knower of dharma, there. The sages said
Passage 72
शृणु राम महाबाहो नैव वक्तुमिहार्हसि। त्वदङ्गसङ्गिनी सीता नोद्वाहं समुपेक्षते॥७२॥
Listen, mighty-armed Rāma: you should not speak in this way. Sītā, who is united with your very body, does not stand waiting for a wedding.
Passage 73
शैशवे शिशुरूपा सा तारुण्ये तरुणाकृतिः। तिरोभावे तिरोभूताविर्भावे प्रकटाकृतिः॥७३॥
In childhood she assumes a child’s form, and in youth a youthful form. When you disappear she is hidden; when you manifest she assumes a manifest form.
Passage 74
चन्द्रेण चन्द्रिकेवासौ त्वयैव सह वर्तते। गच्छ राम मनोज्ञं तत्प्रमोदवनमुत्तमम्॥७४॥
Like moonlight with the moon, she remains with you alone. Go, Rāma, to that lovely and supreme Pramoda Forest.
Passage 75
तत्रस्था व्रजदेवीश्च रमयस्व चिरं प्रभो। ता एव प्रथमं तस्याः करिष्यन्ति विकैतवम्॥७५॥
Long delight the goddesses of Vraja who dwell there, Lord. They themselves will first enact a stratagem concerning her.
Passage 76
दूत्यं तया भवत्सङ्गं कारयिष्यन्ति योषितः। तास्वाविष्टा ततः सीता रंस्यते भवता समम्॥७६॥
Through her mediation, the women will bring about union with you. Sītā will then enter them and sport together with you.
Passage 77
स्वयं च रंस्यते साक्षात्सीता सहजसुन्दरी। नात्र त्वया क्वचित्कार्यो विकल्पो रघुनन्दन॥७७॥
Sītā, beautiful by her very nature, will also sport with you directly in her own person. Son of Raghu, you should have no uncertainty about this.
Passage 78
तासामेव हितार्थाय भक्तानां व्रजयोषिताम्। त्वत्तः प्रादुरभूदेव भेदेन दर्शनं गता॥७८॥
For the benefit of those devoted women of Vraja alone, she manifested from you and became visible in a distinct form.
Passage 79
पुनश्चान्तर्हिता भूत्वा प्रमोदवनमागता। तत्र सा शोभते नित्यं सरयूतीरवासिनी॥७९॥
Becoming hidden once again, she came to Pramoda Forest. She shines there eternally, dwelling on the bank of the Sarayū.
Passage 80
प्रमोदवनमध्यस्था तद्देवीभिश्च पूजिता। तासां मध्येऽनिशं भाति प्रमोदवनदेवता॥८०॥
Standing in the midst of Pramoda Forest and worshiped by its goddesses, she shines ceaselessly among them as the deity of Pramoda Forest.
Passage 81
रक्ताशोकलताकुञ्जं सीतासौ तत्र कानने। त्वं तात गच्छ तत्रैव पूरयस्व मनोरथान्॥८१॥
Sītā is there in that forest, in the bower of red aśoka creepers. Dear one, go there and fulfill their hearts’ desires.
Passage 82
नेत्रोत्सवं तथास्माकं देहि राघवपुङ्गव। त्रैलोक्ये च महामोदं वर्द्धयस्व महामते॥८२॥
Foremost Rāghava, grant us too a festival for the eyes. Great-minded one, increase the immense delight of the three worlds.
Passage 83
नातो विलम्बनं कार्यं वयं दूत्यमुपागताः। तत्रैव सीतया सार्द्धं शोभन्ते व्रजयोषितः॥८३॥
No further delay should be made; we have come as messengers. The women of Vraja are shining there together with Sītā herself.
Passage 84
श्रुतिरूपा नित्यसिद्धा अग्निपुत्राश्च योगिनः। अन्ये च दिव्यमुनयो वाञ्छन्ति भवदागमम्॥८४॥
Those who embody the revealed Vedas, the eternally perfected ones, the yogīs who are Agni’s sons, and other divine sages all desire your arrival.
Passage 85
योषिद्रूपं विधायैते कामेन क्षुभिताशयाः। त्वामेव नित्यं वाञ्छन्ति तत्र गच्छाधुना प्रभो॥८५॥
Assuming women’s forms, their hearts agitated by love, they desire you alone eternally. Go there now, Lord.
Passage 86
इति तेषां वचः श्रुत्वा रामः प्रहसिताननः। महान्तमुत्सवं कृत्वा सर्वांस्तान्विससर्ज ह॥८६॥
Hearing their words, Rāma’s face opened in a smile. He made a great celebration and then dismissed them all.
Passage 87
ओमित्युक्त्वा दूतिकाश्च विससर्ज नृपात्मजः। दूत्योऽपि तेन वाग्बन्धं कृत्वा प्रमुदिताशयाः॥८७॥
Saying “Om,” the king’s son also dismissed the messenger-women. Gladdened at heart, they bound him by his spoken promise.
Passage 88
आयाति भवतीनां वै नाथः सञ्जातकौतुकः। इति ताभ्यो व्रजस्त्रीभ्यः पृथक्सत्यं न्यवेदयन्॥८८॥
“Your lord is surely coming, filled with eagerness.” Thus they faithfully reported the message separately to each of the women of Vraja. --- Thus ends the twenty-sixth chapter, “Rāma’s Rāsa,” in the dialogue of Brahmā and Bhuśuṇḍa in the Śrīmad Ādi Rāmāyaṇa. Textual notes The chapter begins on the printed leaf where Chapter 25 closes and ends with its colophon on source leaf 241. Verses 27–58 preserve the messenger-women’s extended address to Rāma; verses 59–67 give Rāma’s answer, and verses 72–85 give the sages’ response. Verse 71 is printed in three lines. In verse 6 the scan reads कर्तुं; the auxiliary transcription’s कत्तु has therefore not been followed. The auxiliary parser’s corruption of प्रियाबुद्ध्या in verse 19 has likewise been corrected from the scan. The unusual transmitted word विकैतवम् in verse 75 is retained rather than silently emended and is rendered conservatively as “a stratagem.”